Baby Teeth

Baby teeth, the ones you first get as a child, are very important. They make the way for your permanent (adult) teeth. Taking care of baby teeth will help prevent bleeding, especially when a child is getting a new tooth or has just lost one. 

What you should know:

•  Baby teeth usually start to fall out around age six. Most people have 20 baby teeth and 32 permanent teeth.
• Baby teeth are needed for chewing and learning to talk. Since they hold the space for your permanent teeth, they should be allowed to fall out on their own. They should be cared for just as carefully as permanent teeth.
• Parents should try to keep a child from playing with a loose tooth. Wiggling a tooth that is not ready to come out may hurt the gums and cause bleeding.
• Don't put a baby to bed with a bottle, especially one that has milk or juice. Not only could the baby choke, but the sugar in the milk or juice will rot the baby's teeth. 
• Most dentists say that a child should have their first checkup before age 1. 

How to have less bleeding when a child loses a tooth:

Have the child bite down on a rolled-up piece of cotton gauze.

• Don't let the child rinse his mouth.
• Give the child only soft foods to eat for a couple of days.
• If the bleeding goes on for longer than two hours, call the HTC for advice. A child with Hemophilia should be given factor.

How to have less bleeding when a new tooth is coming in (cutting a new tooth):

• Tell the child to chew on the other side of his mouth.
• Give the child only soft foods to eat for several days.
• Don't brush over the new tooth when there is bleeding.